Abstract: A monitor calibration method for determining the black point of a monitor display, wherein a solid black display area and a gray display area are displayed on a monitor screen in the form of stripes, for example, so that each display area is sandwiched by the other type of display area. Then, while the brightness of the gray display area is gradually changed, the user signals OK using a mouse device at the point in time that the viewer determines a difference between the two display areas. The input value of the gray display area at that time is fixed and saved as the black point. By arranging the display areas in alternating stripes, even a subtle difference in the two display areas is visually striking. Hence, a very accurate black point can be determined.

Abstract: A monitor calibration method for determining the black point of a monitor display, wherein a solid black display area and a gray display area are displayed on a monitor screen in the form of stripes, for example, so that each display area is sandwiched by the other type of display area. Then, while the brightness of the gray display area is gradually changed, the user signals OK using a mouse device at the point in time that the viewer determines a difference between the two display areas. The input value of the gray display area at that time is fixed and saved as the black point. By arranging the display areas in alternating stripes, even a subtle difference in the two display areas is visually striking. Hence, a very accurate black point can be determined.

Abstract: The standard brightness region is displayed with input values of zero. The comparison brightness region is displayed with an input value which is variable in the range of 0 to 255. The standard brightness and comparison brightness regions are displayed next to each other in the display. The input value is changed from zero. A first black point is determined as an input value which causes the comparison brightness region to first appear distinguishable from the black regions of the standard brightness regions. Then, the input value is changed from 255. A second black point is determined as an input value which causes the comparison brightness region to first appear indistinguishable from the black regions of the standard brightness regions. Then, a black point is calculated as an average of the first and second black points.

Abstract: To facilitate determination of a black point on a display unit, a reference brightness region and a comparison brightness region are displayed on the display unit. The former emits at a reference brightness that is used as a reference for determining the black point. The reference brightness is set by inputting a predetermined input value to the display unit. The brightness on the comparison brightness region is compared with the reference brightness. The comparison brightness is changed by increasing and decreasing the input value to the display unit to obtain a critical input value representing the input value wherein an operator can first distinguish the comparison brightness region from the reference brightness region. The two regions are arranged so that the comparison brightness region which is, for example, a star mark is completely surrounded by the reference brightness region, or vice versa.

Abstract: In S100, multilevel density data C, M, Y, and K for a subject pixel are read out from the data recording medium. Then, the total ink density ND is calculated in S110. It is judged whether or not the total ink density ND is higher than the predetermined limit value L1. When the total density ND is not higher than the value L1 (no in S120), the original density data C, M, Y, and K for the subject pixel are subjected to the binarization process in S140. When the total density ND is higher than the value L1 (yes in S120), on the other hand, the value of the multilevel data for each chromatic color component is reduced through an ink density reduction process in S130. The thus obtained reduced multilevel data C3, M3, and Y3 and the black multilevel data are subjected to the binarization process in S140.

Abstract: A test image 40 for determining a gamma value has a plurality of first gradation patterns 20 and a plurality of second gradation patterns 30. The patterns 20 and 30 are arranged alternately in a vertical direction. In each pattern 20, a relative brightness linearly increases from left to right. In each pattern 30, a relative brightness linearly decreases from left to right.

Abstract: The pattern to be displayed on the display is constructed from at least three tone levels to display specific shapes such as letters and numeric characters. The pattern is designed so that the user will visually perceive different shapes when displayed at different display characteristics. The display characteristic is determined according to the user's perceived shape.

Abstract: The first time a print program is activated, monitor calibration for calculating display characteristic of a display is executed (S10). Then the results of the monitor calibration operation are registered along with the present date (S20). The monitor calibration results and print information are outputted to a color printer (S30). The next and further times that the print program is activated, the number of days passed since the monitor calibration operation was last performed is calculated based on the previously registered date and on the present date (S40). Whether the calculated number of days exceeds a predetermined number of days is determined (S50). If so, then the monitor calibration operation is again performed (S60) and the calibration results and date are updated accordingly (S70).

Abstract: Data input from a host computer to a printer are stored in a first memory as page data. There can be set up an edit mode in which the data input from the host computer to the printer are edited and printed in the number of pages different from the number of pages which the data has had when the data is input. When this edit mode is set up, page data in the first memory is enlarged or contracted and edited in new page data. The new page data is stored in a second memory. The page data stored in the second memory is printed out by a printing mechanism in the printer.

Abstract: In an optical printing system for printing an image on a recording sheet, adopted as the recording sheet is a sheet coated with microcapsules on one surface thereon. Each microcapsule envelopes a first component which changes color when reacts with a second component. The second component may be coated on the recording sheet or may be coated on a separate developing sheet. The microcapsule further envelopes a third component which varies the mechanical strength of microcapsule when light is projected thereto. An image is formed on the recording sheet by selectively exposing a light thereto in accordance with the image to be printed thereon, and the microcapsules on the recording sheet whose mechanical strength is low are then ruptured by rupturing means. Thereby, the visible image is developed. The exposing is carried out by repeating a predetermined-period exposure at a predetermined interval against the same portion of the recording sheet.

Abstract: In an optical printing system for printing an image on a recording sheet, adopted as the recording sheet is a sheet coated with microcapsules on one surface thereon. Each microcapsule envelopes a first component which changes color when reacts with a second component. The second component may be coated on the recording sheet or may be coated on a separate developing sheet. The microcapsule further envelopes a third component which varies the mechanical strength of microcapsule when light is projected thereto. An image is formed on the recording sheet by selectively exposing a light thereto in accordance with the image to be printed thereon, and the microcapsules on the recording sheet whose mechanical strength is low are then ruptured by rupturing means. Thereby, the color is developed or the recording sheet on the first component with the second component. The printing operation of the printing system is executed by control means in accordance with a predetermined sequence.